Roger Harding
@rogercharding.bsky.social
Lover of all things natural history, particularly orchids, butterflies, birds.
Also, travelling to photograph them.
Play harmonica and poker and love whisky
Also, travelling to photograph them.
Play harmonica and poker and love whisky
A penultimate few
January 6, 2026 at 7:39 PM
A penultimate few
Just about every beach and small body of water had waders in abundance
January 6, 2026 at 7:30 PM
Just about every beach and small body of water had waders in abundance
Now some desert specialities
Ok - I admit it - I dipped on Houboura!!
Ok - I admit it - I dipped on Houboura!!
January 6, 2026 at 7:24 PM
Now some desert specialities
Ok - I admit it - I dipped on Houboura!!
Ok - I admit it - I dipped on Houboura!!
A couple of Warblers
January 6, 2026 at 7:19 PM
A couple of Warblers
Now some classic Passerines
January 6, 2026 at 7:15 PM
Now some classic Passerines
Just returned from a relaxing, warm holiday in Fuerteventura.
This was primarily a holiday to escape British winter - however, you can't keep a keen naturalist down.
Firstly Butterflies. Saw half a dozen species, but dipped on the endemic Red Admiral.
Photos of these two
This was primarily a holiday to escape British winter - however, you can't keep a keen naturalist down.
Firstly Butterflies. Saw half a dozen species, but dipped on the endemic Red Admiral.
Photos of these two
January 6, 2026 at 7:05 PM
Just returned from a relaxing, warm holiday in Fuerteventura.
This was primarily a holiday to escape British winter - however, you can't keep a keen naturalist down.
Firstly Butterflies. Saw half a dozen species, but dipped on the endemic Red Admiral.
Photos of these two
This was primarily a holiday to escape British winter - however, you can't keep a keen naturalist down.
Firstly Butterflies. Saw half a dozen species, but dipped on the endemic Red Admiral.
Photos of these two
Seems like a good Christmas present then.
📖📖❤️
📖📖❤️
Right then, tongue-orchids, let's be having you. Today I #amwriting all about the various twists and turns of tongues in England in recent decades. There's a LOT to get licked before the 5pm whistle...
#orchids
#orchids
January 3, 2026 at 9:45 AM
Seems like a good Christmas present then.
📖📖❤️
📖📖❤️
Reposted by Roger Harding
Right then, tongue-orchids, let's be having you. Today I #amwriting all about the various twists and turns of tongues in England in recent decades. There's a LOT to get licked before the 5pm whistle...
#orchids
#orchids
January 3, 2026 at 9:17 AM
Right then, tongue-orchids, let's be having you. Today I #amwriting all about the various twists and turns of tongues in England in recent decades. There's a LOT to get licked before the 5pm whistle...
#orchids
#orchids
Reposted by Roger Harding
Planning on hitting the sales this weekend?
We've got an offer for you! There's just a few places left on our 2026 week-long holidays - so we're offering £100 off the list price of them if booked before 1 February. All generate donations to conservation, to BSBI & BCE.
mariposanature.com/calendar
We've got an offer for you! There's just a few places left on our 2026 week-long holidays - so we're offering £100 off the list price of them if booked before 1 February. All generate donations to conservation, to BSBI & BCE.
mariposanature.com/calendar
January 2, 2026 at 6:36 PM
Planning on hitting the sales this weekend?
We've got an offer for you! There's just a few places left on our 2026 week-long holidays - so we're offering £100 off the list price of them if booked before 1 February. All generate donations to conservation, to BSBI & BCE.
mariposanature.com/calendar
We've got an offer for you! There's just a few places left on our 2026 week-long holidays - so we're offering £100 off the list price of them if booked before 1 February. All generate donations to conservation, to BSBI & BCE.
mariposanature.com/calendar
For my good friend @stevieparsons.bsky.social
A Raven Day is always a good day. 🩶
A Raven Day is always a good day. 🩶
January 2, 2026 at 3:53 PM
For my good friend @stevieparsons.bsky.social
A Raven Day is always a good day. 🩶
A Raven Day is always a good day. 🩶
and today a Cattle Egret joined me for breakfast.
"You're not going to eat that last bit of bacon are you!"
"You're not going to eat that last bit of bacon are you!"
January 2, 2026 at 9:00 AM
and today a Cattle Egret joined me for breakfast.
"You're not going to eat that last bit of bacon are you!"
"You're not going to eat that last bit of bacon are you!"
Keep 'em coming.....
For #AnOrchidADay:
A Late Spider #Orchid.
From the 2019 season.
This series will continue until the 27th February, when the 2026 season will begin on Cyprus.
It will pause then until September.
A Late Spider #Orchid.
From the 2019 season.
This series will continue until the 27th February, when the 2026 season will begin on Cyprus.
It will pause then until September.
January 1, 2026 at 2:50 PM
Keep 'em coming.....
Did it in 2024.
Gobsmacked.
Doing it again in 2027.
Meeting lovely old friends on it too!!
❤️
Gobsmacked.
Doing it again in 2027.
Meeting lovely old friends on it too!!
❤️
Starting the New Year as we mean to go on with some happy #bloomscrolling:
💮55 #orchid species recorded last year
💮Many hybrid & colour variety orchids seen
💮Dozens of happy guests
💮Two of Europe's keenest orchid-hunter as leaders
There's only one #OrchidsOfRhodes tour.
(1/2)
💮55 #orchid species recorded last year
💮Many hybrid & colour variety orchids seen
💮Dozens of happy guests
💮Two of Europe's keenest orchid-hunter as leaders
There's only one #OrchidsOfRhodes tour.
(1/2)
January 1, 2026 at 2:49 PM
Did it in 2024.
Gobsmacked.
Doing it again in 2027.
Meeting lovely old friends on it too!!
❤️
Gobsmacked.
Doing it again in 2027.
Meeting lovely old friends on it too!!
❤️
Reposted by Roger Harding
Looking back at 2025, we've lots to be proud of, not least having delivered some super tours to happy guests, and donations to @bsbibotany.bsky.social & @europebutterfly.bsky.social.
More news and looking forward to the year ahead in our New Year's Day blog:
www.mariposanature.com/about/news/2...
More news and looking forward to the year ahead in our New Year's Day blog:
www.mariposanature.com/about/news/2...
January 1, 2026 at 12:20 PM
Looking back at 2025, we've lots to be proud of, not least having delivered some super tours to happy guests, and donations to @bsbibotany.bsky.social & @europebutterfly.bsky.social.
More news and looking forward to the year ahead in our New Year's Day blog:
www.mariposanature.com/about/news/2...
More news and looking forward to the year ahead in our New Year's Day blog:
www.mariposanature.com/about/news/2...
For #AnOrchidADay:
The rarest Kent native hardy #Orchid, a Burnt (Tip), high on the downs above Dover, from the 2019 season, when there were three plants.
Neotinea ustulata.
The rarest Kent native hardy #Orchid, a Burnt (Tip), high on the downs above Dover, from the 2019 season, when there were three plants.
Neotinea ustulata.
December 25, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Have a great rest guys.
See you next year. ❤️
See you next year. ❤️
That's us signing off now for a short while. From us all here at Team Mariposa, wishing you all a very happy Christmas, and a healthy and wildlife-filled new year ahead.
Take care everyone. 🎄
Take care everyone. 🎄
December 24, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Have a great rest guys.
See you next year. ❤️
See you next year. ❤️
And, without you Jon I would never have seen the amazing hybrid.
December 20, 2025 at 9:27 PM
And, without you Jon I would never have seen the amazing hybrid.
😊😊
I'm quite confident Roger's charm transcends international boundaries!
December 18, 2025 at 12:05 AM
😊😊
Jon
Have to agree there.
@thenewgalaxy.bsky.social really is great company, both in the field and in the pub!
Have to agree there.
@thenewgalaxy.bsky.social really is great company, both in the field and in the pub!
I haven't done a #FollowFriday recommendation for ages, but now seems a good time to give a big shout out to my good mate and @mariposanature.bsky.social orchid colleague @thenewgalaxy.bsky.social - Richard's wildlife knowledge is superb, and he's the very best company to hang out with.
We're delighted today to announce the date for next year's Helleborines of Hutton roof daytrip - Sunday 5 July, led by the brilliant, erudite & friendly orchid-hunter @thenewgalaxy.bsky.social. This would make a lovely Christmas present: say it with flowers! (2/2)
mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
December 12, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Jon
Have to agree there.
@thenewgalaxy.bsky.social really is great company, both in the field and in the pub!
Have to agree there.
@thenewgalaxy.bsky.social really is great company, both in the field and in the pub!
Reposted by Roger Harding
We're delighted today to announce the date for next year's Helleborines of Hutton roof daytrip - Sunday 5 July, led by the brilliant, erudite & friendly orchid-hunter @thenewgalaxy.bsky.social. This would make a lovely Christmas present: say it with flowers! (2/2)
mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
December 12, 2025 at 8:00 AM
We're delighted today to announce the date for next year's Helleborines of Hutton roof daytrip - Sunday 5 July, led by the brilliant, erudite & friendly orchid-hunter @thenewgalaxy.bsky.social. This would make a lovely Christmas present: say it with flowers! (2/2)
mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
Reposted by Roger Harding
#ArtAdventCalendar Day 9 is a post-thunderstorm snapshot in the old-growth forest where I work. This black-throated green warbler gave me a rare moment of stillness to admire him. 🪶
December 10, 2025 at 12:53 AM
#ArtAdventCalendar Day 9 is a post-thunderstorm snapshot in the old-growth forest where I work. This black-throated green warbler gave me a rare moment of stillness to admire him. 🪶
Reposted by Roger Harding
Every now and again on Rhodes I'll come across a largely white example of an orchid that would normally be highly colourful. Like the hyperchromic #orchids, they're a fairly scarce find - and one I love to share with my @mariposanature.bsky.social guests on our #OrchidsOfRhodes tour.
December 10, 2025 at 8:03 AM
Every now and again on Rhodes I'll come across a largely white example of an orchid that would normally be highly colourful. Like the hyperchromic #orchids, they're a fairly scarce find - and one I love to share with my @mariposanature.bsky.social guests on our #OrchidsOfRhodes tour.
Reposted by Roger Harding
I've a keen eye for the unusual, and love stumbling upon orchid varieties, particularly when I have @mariposanature.bsky.social guests with whom to share them.
Rhodes is always a happy hunting ground - here just a handful of hyperchromic #OrchidsOfRhodes we've found there over the years.
Rhodes is always a happy hunting ground - here just a handful of hyperchromic #OrchidsOfRhodes we've found there over the years.
December 9, 2025 at 6:59 AM
I've a keen eye for the unusual, and love stumbling upon orchid varieties, particularly when I have @mariposanature.bsky.social guests with whom to share them.
Rhodes is always a happy hunting ground - here just a handful of hyperchromic #OrchidsOfRhodes we've found there over the years.
Rhodes is always a happy hunting ground - here just a handful of hyperchromic #OrchidsOfRhodes we've found there over the years.